Metabolomic assessment of arsenite toxicity and novel biomarker discovery in early development of zebrafish embryos. (15th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Szu-Yuan; Phan, Nam-Nhut; Ho, Shih-Hsin; Lai, Yu-Heng; Tsai, Chih-Hung; Yang, Chung-Han; Yu, Han-Gang; Wang, Jung-Chieh; Huang, Pung-Ling; Lin, Yen-Chang
• Is Part Of: Toxicology letters. Volume 290(2018)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2018-06-15
• Subjects: Sodium arsenite -- Embryonic zebrafish -- Metabolomic analysis; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 363.179
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.03.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-4274

Abstract

Highlights: Metabolomics is a new, high-potential branch of study used for investigating complete sets of small-molecule compounds throughout a biological system. Zebrafish has been considered a powerful model system for the investigation of metabolic routes. Arsenic exposure not only leads to a change in the morphology of embryonic zebrafish but also disturbs the metabolism of zebrafish in early developmental stages. We identified novel metabolites involved in the response of zebrafish embryos to arsenic exposure. Abstract: Context: Arsenic poisoning commonly occurs through exposure to water contaminated with arsenic and causes long-term symptoms. Of all the arsenic derivatives, arsenite is the one of the most toxic compounds. However, the toxicity of arsenite during developmental stages is still unclear. Objective: In this study, we performed a metabolomic analysis of arsenite responses in embryonic zebrafish. Materials and methods: Embryonic zebrafish were used as an animal model in this study. They were exposed to sodium arsenite under different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/L) in 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post fertilization. Changes in morphology were observed through a light microscope. Changes in metabolomics were identified using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight system. Results: The IC50 range was 0.75 ± 0.25 mg/L. Compared with the control group, the embryonic lethality rate decreased to 33.3% under 1.0 mg/L of arsenite treatment, whereas it decreased to 20.0% under 2.0 mg/L of arsenite treatment. Numerous body axis curvatures were also observed under treatment with 2.0 and 5.0 mg/L of arsenic. Pericardium and yolk sac edema were randomly discovered and found to worsen over time. Moreover, the 10 metabolites with the highest variable importance in projection score were identified as potential biomarkers for arsenic exposure. Conclusion: Arsenic exposure not only leads to a change in the morphology of embryonic zebrafish but also disturbs the metabolism of zebrafish in early developmental stages.